BusinessLive reports that the two unions behind the recent damaging strike at South African Airways (SAA) say they want the government to explain what the proposed “radical restructuring” of the loss-making airline would entail.  

SA Cabin Crew Association (Sacca) president Zazi Nsibanyoni-Mugambi and National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola claimed that the unions had not been consulted on the proposed process.  “We have written letters to president [Cyril Ramaphosa], finance minister Tito Mboweni and public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan to find out what it means.  We have written to the SAA board as well,” said Nsibanyoni-Mugambi.  However, SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said that on 11 November the airline had advised unions and employees that it was considering a restructuring process in terms of section 189 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA).  “Based on this provision, the communication served as a notification that the consultation process would soon get under way.  To the extent we are aware, our conduct has not been inconsistent with the LRA, particularly in relation to consultation that must happen before restructuring occurs,” Tlali said.  On Sunday, the government said the national airline would have to go through a “radical restructuring process” to survive as it “cannot continue in its current form.”

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive

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